Why the AS IS Contract Deserves More Attention
The Florida AS IS Residential Contract is one of the most widely used agreements in our market. Agents love it because it seems simple: “Take it or leave it.”
But here’s the reality: the AS IS contract is full of clauses and timelines that can make or break your deal. If you don’t understand them deeply, and explain them clearly, you risk leaving your client exposed to financial loss, inspection nightmares, or worse, a collapsed closing.
Here are five pitfalls we see agents overlook all the time.
1. The Inspection Period Trap
Yes, buyers can cancel during inspection, but most agents fail to explain how critical the timelines are. Missing the deadline means your client is locked in, issues and all.
👉 Pro Tip: Calendar this immediately and coach your buyers on making quick, informed decisions.
2. Financing Contingency Confusion
Too many agents treat this like a formality. In reality, vague or misunderstood financing terms can cost buyers their deposit if the lender pulls out at the last minute.
👉 Pro Tip: Always spell out loan type, approval timeline, and what happens if financing falls through.
3. Open Permits & Code Violations
Here’s the shocker: the AS IS contract does not automatically require sellers to close out permits. That means your buyer could inherit thousands in costs post-closing.
👉 Pro Tip: Use additional terms language to hold the seller responsible for closing permits prior to closing.
4. Title & Survey Surprises
It’s not enough to hand over the title commitment, you need to help your client understand what could derail ownership, like unpaid liens or encroachments.
👉 Pro Tip: Don’t assume “clean title” is a given. Walk your clients through the report so they know exactly what they’re signing up for.
5. Section 18 Riders & Addendums
Many agents skip over the riders, thinking they’re optional. In reality, the right addendum (HOA, Financing, Appraisal) can be the difference between a smooth closing and a legal nightmare.
👉 Pro Tip: Learn when to pair the AS IS contract with the proper riders. It’s not about “extra” paperwork, it’s about protecting your client.
The Bottom Line
The AS IS Residential Contract isn’t just “standard paperwork.” It’s a roadmap full of opportunities to protect, or fail, your client.
At Contract Close Champagne, we believe every Florida Realtor should master this contract line by line. That’s why we created the AS IS Residential Contract Course, a 40+ module training that breaks down every clause, timeline, and addendum with real-world examples.
If you’re ready to avoid costly mistakes and close with confidence, this is where to start.
Enroll today in the AS IS Residential Contract Course and never second-guess the fine print again.
